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New Diagnosis at 25, Scared!! Need Support and Info!
Tue, 01/13/2004 - 17:06I have been having ongoing sezuires for over two months, just got my insurance back, and have been hospitalized for 4 days while they tried to figure out what was going on. I have history of depression and was on xanax and valium for a number of years to control what they thought were horrible migraines & anxiety attacks, no tests were run at that time. I was blacking out back then. I went through a period where I was abusing speed and coke in my early 20s and supplementing it with my large RX of Benzos, so when I went for treatment I had withdrawal seizures. It has been 2 years sober and now I am having all of these strange hallucinations and twitches and go ito a trance like state. My face will hang like I had a stroke. All tests came out normal except the EEG showed some "Sharp stuff" and they said it has nothing to do with my substance abuse. I went recently for a 24 hr eeg. But know they are saying I am suffering post traumatic poststress disorfer and that I have bipolar.. I continue to have Complex Partial and Tonic Clonic.. I am on ever increasing dosages of Topamax, Dilantin, Klonopin, and Zoloft.. And I just want to scream!!! Is it possible that I am making this up and that I am going nuts?
Comments
How old is ur lil girl now
Submitted by Justin on Sun, 2005-10-09 - 19:05
How old is ur lil girl now heather? Ive got a 9 month old. what a handful! Keeps my mind off negative things though. And thats priceless.
I now have 2 little girls
Submitted by mommy2kyra on Mon, 2005-10-10 - 14:09
My girls are 1-year and 3-years. A handful, for sure, but very sweet :)
Heather
RE: New Diagnosis at 25, Scared!! Need Support and Info!
Submitted by mommy2kyra on Tue, 2004-01-13 - 17:06
Hello. I too was diagnosed with a complex partial seizure disorder when I was in my mid-20s. I had apparently been having seizures for over 5 years before it was recognized. I was mistakenly diagnosed with panic disorder, and all that time thought I was just having panic attacks. It wasn't until I had a tonic-clonic seizure that the proper tests were done to identify what was going on with me. The tonic-clonic seizure seemed to come out of left field, and I was shocked.Looking back now, I can see it so clearly, and I feel like kicking myself! I had even gone to the hospital after my first complex partial seizure, but I was uninsured at the time and the doctor didn't do any tests. He wanted me to come back in a few days, but I didn't want to waste the money. Little did I know how much heartache and anxiety I could have prevented by getting an EEG!Anyway, after being diagnosed, I immediately lost my license to drive (another big surprise) and didn't get it back until my seizures were under control (after 2 years or so). Finding the right medication and dosage is often challenging. This can be very difficult, because your life goes on (work, school, relationships, whatever) and you feel like a zombie. It was a rough road.While things are sometimes tough, and there are particular challenges those with seizure disorders face, you learn to accept it and continue living your life. I finished college, and got my degree. I got married (to a wonderful man who was there with/for me through it all) and am now a SAHM to a beautiful healthy little girl. We are now going to try for another baby.One of the most invigorating and liberating things I've done in my life is learn all that I can about seizure disorders. I learned all about the brain and it's functions, in order to better understand what was happening. (I ended up getting my degree in psychology, so I did extensive studying of the brain.) Studying seizures really helped me to overcome my own negative emotions and pre-conceptions about epilepsy. I would also recommend contacting a local Epilepsy Foundation, as they are a great resource for information and support. They offer support groups, camps for youth, and seminars.I wish you the best of luck, I know it's a tough time. Just try not to wonder why this has happened and instead focus on what you can do to to improve your quality of life. Take care :)Heather